By my count, Kentucky has won ten NCAA Tournament games in the Calipari era in the last minute, which is a remarkable number. The criteria is that inside that last minute either Kentucky took the lead or the other team had a shot with the chance to win. After a COVID layoff, I've been watching these games to get psyched for the upcoming tournament. I hope there are more happy thrills.
Here's my ranking:
10. 2017 Wichita State. This is a highly underrated Kentucky tourney win. Seeking revenge for 2014, the Shockers, who were woefully underseeded, battled to the last minute, until first Malik Monk blocked a shot with 16 seconds to go and UK up 1, then Bam blocked a 3-point shot in the last second with UK up 3.
9. 2011 Princeton. People write this off as a bad Kentucky performance salvaged when Brandon Knight hit his first shot of the game with two seconds to go. But Princeton played extremely well in a game that could have ended a Final Four run before it began.
8. 2019 Houston. Tyler Herro's shot with 25 seconds to go gives Kentucky the lead in a game the Cats trailed by 3 inside a minute. PJ Washington had a basket and a block in the final minute. A battle throughout.
7. Louisville 2014. The first of Aaron Harrison's trio of game winners. Thrilling game in which Kentucky battled back from a 14-point deficit against a hated rival with the season on the line. For this to not be in the Top Five shows what a remarkable era this has been for the Cats.
6. Michigan 2014. Aaron Harrison again, with a last possession shot with a high degree of difficulty.
5. Notre Dame 2015. Cats fought uphill for what seemed like the entire second half before Andrew Harrison's two free throws inside ten seconds gives Kentucky a 68-66 lead. Tough defense ruins ND's last second shot.
4. UNC-CHeats 2011. Only up one with the Cheaters surging before DeAndre Liggins hits a difficult corner three with about 20 seconds to go. Anyone doubt if he misses that shot Kentucky gets called for fouling Zeller at the buzzer? Great win to send the Cats to the Final Four.
3. Wisconsin 2014. Aaron Harrison completes the Trifecta. This time Kentucky was behind by 2 and facing the end of the season when Aaron buries a 30-footer in the final few seconds.
2. 2011 Ohio State. Heavy underdogs to the Overall #1 seed, Kentucky pulls it out when Brandon Knight, again, scores inside ten seconds.
1. Wichita State 2014. One of the great NCAA Tournament games of all time comes down to a last second miss by the Schockers. Each team hit critical shot after shot down the stretch with the pressure building. A true classic.
Here's my ranking:
10. 2017 Wichita State. This is a highly underrated Kentucky tourney win. Seeking revenge for 2014, the Shockers, who were woefully underseeded, battled to the last minute, until first Malik Monk blocked a shot with 16 seconds to go and UK up 1, then Bam blocked a 3-point shot in the last second with UK up 3.
9. 2011 Princeton. People write this off as a bad Kentucky performance salvaged when Brandon Knight hit his first shot of the game with two seconds to go. But Princeton played extremely well in a game that could have ended a Final Four run before it began.
8. 2019 Houston. Tyler Herro's shot with 25 seconds to go gives Kentucky the lead in a game the Cats trailed by 3 inside a minute. PJ Washington had a basket and a block in the final minute. A battle throughout.
7. Louisville 2014. The first of Aaron Harrison's trio of game winners. Thrilling game in which Kentucky battled back from a 14-point deficit against a hated rival with the season on the line. For this to not be in the Top Five shows what a remarkable era this has been for the Cats.
6. Michigan 2014. Aaron Harrison again, with a last possession shot with a high degree of difficulty.
5. Notre Dame 2015. Cats fought uphill for what seemed like the entire second half before Andrew Harrison's two free throws inside ten seconds gives Kentucky a 68-66 lead. Tough defense ruins ND's last second shot.
4. UNC-CHeats 2011. Only up one with the Cheaters surging before DeAndre Liggins hits a difficult corner three with about 20 seconds to go. Anyone doubt if he misses that shot Kentucky gets called for fouling Zeller at the buzzer? Great win to send the Cats to the Final Four.
3. Wisconsin 2014. Aaron Harrison completes the Trifecta. This time Kentucky was behind by 2 and facing the end of the season when Aaron buries a 30-footer in the final few seconds.
2. 2011 Ohio State. Heavy underdogs to the Overall #1 seed, Kentucky pulls it out when Brandon Knight, again, scores inside ten seconds.
1. Wichita State 2014. One of the great NCAA Tournament games of all time comes down to a last second miss by the Schockers. Each team hit critical shot after shot down the stretch with the pressure building. A true classic.
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